The importance of networking. Whether you are facing issues in your personal life or in your business, it really helps to talk with people who have been there, done that. Are you struggling with balancing the demands on your time and attention? Are you stressed about increased costs of doing business and what that will mean for your future? The opportunities to share ideas and experiences with others from around the country, even from around the world, enhance the attractiveness of trade shows like K/BIS, Network '08 and ISH North America . In challenging times like today, networking becomes an even more valuable tool. Shown here, there was plenty of networking at The Stock Market's booth during K/BIS 2008, with its launch of The Rivers Collection, a private label line. People are still talking about K/BIS, but don't forget - more networking opportunities await your presence at Network '08 and ISH North America this fall!

Showroom Of The Year Competition: Hank Darlington, showroom guru, consultant and columnist, is spearheading a contest with Supply House Times that will honor outstanding showrooms. Two showrooms will be selected: one 2,500 sq. ft. or larger, the other less than 2,500 sq. ft.  The winners will be recognized in Darlington's column with pictures in the October 2008 issue of Supply House Times and also will receive an attractive plaque.

Judging will take into consideration the following:

• Well built-out and displayed showroom
• Outstanding business practices
• Customer service
• Human resource practices
• Community involvement
• Industry support
• Showroom training programs
• Showroom marketing programs
• Unique and different customer service ideas
• Merchandising of showroom products
• Treating the showroom as a profit center
• Innovative presentation of products within the showroom
• Diversity of products and services

The award will recognize all facets of the showroom operation, including but not limited to: its location; the exterior of the facility including signage; the building, landscaping and parking areas; and the interior of the building, including lighting, display build-out, uniqueness of displays and layout.

The contest is open only to plumbing wholesaler showrooms. The entry deadline is August 15. For further details, visit www.supplyht.com or read Hank Darlington's monthly column in the July issue of Supply House Times.

Symmons Industries  has launched Design Studio Live, a user-friendly Web-based tool that enables designers, architects and property owners to participate in the company's customized designing experience without having to leave their desks. Users can browse through existing design templates or begin a completely fresh design using Google SketchUp software that can be added to a library of ideas and projects for sharing among members of the design community. A special training section offers SketchUp and faucet design tutorials, which are available both online and in downloadable PDF formats. There is no charge for design time or prototype tooling, and no obligation to buy the product after participating in Design Studio Live.

Davis & Warshow  (New York) plans to debut its "Show Snapshots" series at its Soho showroom, 96 Spring Street, June 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. The new series is dedicated to bringing the best elements of top industry trade shows to the metro New York architectural and design community. Attendees can earn CEU credits by participating in the sessions.

For the first installment, the wholesaler is partnering with The Architect's Newspaper and its editor, William Menking, to present "Coverings: The Green, Beige and Beyond of Tile & Stone." For more information, or to RSVP for the June 18 event, please call 212-966-3759 ext. 265 or e-mail dwevent@veederperman.com.

HD Supply Repair & Remodel celebrated its 25th anniversary May 17 and also marked the 25th service anniversary of Rich Fiechter, its founder and president. Based in Sacramento, CA , HD Supply Repair & Remodel is a home improvement and building materials supplier providing products and services to small remodeling contractors, tradesmen and the Do-It-Yourself home improvement market. Its product mix, including doors, windows, cabinets, molding and flooring, is carried in 10 warehouses in northern and southern California. The company also provides equipment rentals and drive-through lumberyards.

Almo announced a distribution agreement with ASKO Appliances. Almo's Specialty Appliance Division will offer ASKO dishwashers and laundry appliances to dealers in select New York and New Jersey locations. Manufactured in Sweden, ASKO appliances exceed ENERGY STAR guidelines, according to Almo. 

Cindy Goodwin

Creative Touch Interiors  (CTI), an HD Supply business that provides interior finish solutions to the residential and commercial construction industries, recently announced several key organizational changes. John Tisera, former president of Crown Bolt, an HD Supply business that distributes hardware products to the home improvement industry, joins CTI as vice president of national account sales. Andrew Liebert, former west region vice president for CTI, has been named vice president of sales. Steve Spade, former east region vice president, has been named vice president of marketing and business development.

Matthew Wakeham

W.A.C. Lighting appointed Matthew Wakeham to marketing director. His 20-plus years of industry experience include stints with Leviton Manufacturing Co. and Underwriters Laboratories. W.A.C. Lighting designs and manufactures track, recessed, undercabinet, decorative and monorail lighting.

Methven  offers its Satinjet Tahi ergonomically designed shower system that emits a waterfall of 3,000 droplets per second and consumes only 2.3 gallons of water per minute. The hand shower with twin-jet performance consumes only 1.9 gallons of water per minute. The interface is integrated into the wall, and allows for thermostatic control of temperature and individual flow control for the separate components. The modular design of the system allows the user to add or subtract components, such as adjustable shelving, a textured footrest, hand shower with massage spray option and overhead drencher shower.

MJSI reported that the installation of its HydroClean toilet fill valve produced an immediate and sustainable 36% reduction in water usage by eliminating all wasted water in a 159-unit condominium complex, according to an independent study conducted for the Region of Halton's ongoing water efficiency initiative in Ontario, Canada . The study was conducted by Bill Gauley, principal and co-founder of Veritec Consulting, whose de facto toilet performance testing standard (MaP Testing) is the basis of the USEPA's WaterSense requirements for toilet performance.  The 17-story building had a total of 325 toilets that were a mix of 3.5 gallon-per-flush and 1.6 gpf models. Of the water saved, 71% was attributed to HydroClean's calibration feature that balances the toilet's tank and bowl water levels without sacrificing full flush efficiency.

Chicago Faucets  is offering licensed plumbing contractors or plumbing contractor companies a $500 U.S. Savings Bond when they purchase and install at least $5,000 of Chicago Faucet products in a school project. The products must be placed and installed in educational facilities between May 1 and Sept. 30, 2008. Entry forms and rules for qualification are available at participating wholesalers, from Chicago Faucets sales reps, or by visiting www.contractorsforeducation.com.

Delta Faucet Co . had a special display for its new Diamond Seal technology as the focal point of its booth at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Chicago. Paul Patton (left), Delta's senior product development manager, and Keith Allman (right), president of Delta Faucet Co., greeted Bob Miodonski, publisher, PM Engineer and Bath & Kitchen Pro, and associate publisher, Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times, at the Delta booth.